Figma to Next.js: A Step-by-Step Guide to Transforming Designs with DhiWise

In the fast-evolving world of web development, where user expectations and technology standards are always on the rise, Next.js stands out for its robust performance and developer-friendly features. However, transforming app design in Figma to Next.js code can often seem challenging.

This is because developers need to bridge the gap between the static design elements in Figma and the dynamic functionalities required in a web application.

So, how do you overcome these design-to-code challenges?

Enter DhiWise: Your Next.js Development Accelerator

DhiWise accelerates the Figma to Next.js transformation with advanced tools that convert Figma design components into ready-to-deploy Next.js code. This not only preserves the design's fidelity but also enhances developer productivity.

Here's a glimpse of the folder structure of generated code that makes DhiWise a game-changer:

1├── public --------- Static assets holder
2│   └── images --------- Contains all images
3│   └── fonts ---------- Font resources
4├── README.md
5├── src --------- Source code root
6│   ├── app --------- Application logic
7│   │   ├──<router> --------- Route-specific components
8│   │   │    └── page.tsx
9│   │   ├── layout.tsx
10│   │   ├── page.tsx
11│   │   ├── robots.ts
12│   │   └── sitemap.ts
13│   ├── theme --------- Theme(s) for the app
14│   ├── components --------- Reusable components
15│   ├── theme --------- Theme configuration
16│   │   └── components ----- Component style
17│   │   └── foundations ---- Base styles
18│   │   └── index.ts ----- Theme export file
19│   └── styles --------- Global style config
20│       ├── font.css ------ Font styling
21│       └── index.css ------ Main stylesheet
22├── next.config.js ----- Next.js config
23└── package.json

This demonstrates how DhiWise simplifies the initial step from Figma to code, setting the stage for a deeper dive into specific features that make your Next.js projects faster and more SEO-friendly.

What Sets DhiWise Apart?

DhiWise is not just another developer tool; it's a strategic partner that streamlines your development process from Figma to Next.js by ensuring:

• Advanced Component Recognition: From simple buttons to complex interactive elements.
• Design System Integration: Utilizing design tokens for consistent styling across your application.
• Auto-Responsiveness: Generating code that naturally fits all screen sizes, ensuring a perfect user experience on any device.

With DhiWise, you are equipped to tackle any challenge in Next.js development, enhancing both the speed and quality of your output. Let’s now delve into Next.js-specific features that DhiWise optimizes for your development workflow.

1. App Router Integration

Version 13 of Next.js introduced a new App Router built on React Server Components, offering more efficient routing capabilities. DhiWise now supports this feature, simplifying the integration of complex routing in your applications.

Folder structure of DhiWise generated Next.js application

2. SEO-Optimized Components

DhiWise facilitates the creation of SEO-friendly components crucial for Next.js applications, such as optimized <Image /> and <Link /> elements, along with enhanced metadata management and sitemap generation.

1      // Example of using Next.js Image and Link components for SEO
2      import Image from 'next/image';
3      import Link from 'next/link';
4
5      const SEOComponent = () => {
6        return (
7          <div>
8            <h1>The Importance of SEO</h1>
9            <Image src="/seo-image.jpg" alt="SEO" width={500} height={300} />
10            <Link href="/learn-more">
11              <a>Learn More About SEO</a>
12            </Link>
13          </div>
14        );
15      };

3. Reusable Nested Components

Leveraging the capability of Next.js for modular development, DhiWise excels in scaffolding reusable nested components. This approach promotes scalability and reduces redundancy. Reusable nested components

4. Automatic Code Consistency

DhiWise uses design tokens and systematized components to maintain styling consistency across your Next.js projects, streamlining the application of a cohesive design system.

1import React from "react";
2
3const sizes = {
4  xs: "text-sm font-normal",
5  lg: "text-xl font-normal",
6  s: "text-base font-normal",
7  xl: "text-2xl font-normal md:text-[22px]",
8  md: "text-lg font-normal",
9};
10
11export type TextProps = Partial<{
12  className: string;
13  as: any;
14  size: keyof typeof sizes;
15}> &
16  React.DetailedHTMLProps<
17    React.HTMLAttributes<HTMLSpanElement>,
18    HTMLSpanElement
19  >;
20
21const Text: React.FC<React.PropsWithChildren<TextProps>> = ({
22  children,
23  className = "",
24  as,
25  size = "s",
26  ...restProps
27}) => {
28  const Component = as || "p";
29
30  return (
31    <Component
32      className={`text-gray-400 font-plusjakartasans ${className} ${sizes[size]}`}
33      {...restProps}
34    >
35      {children}
36    </Component>
37  );
38};
39
40export { Text };
41

5. Optimized for Auto-Responsiveness

DhiWise's code generation is tailored for Next.js, ensuring optimal layout and performance across all devices using built-in features and best practices.

1      /* Example CSS for responsive design */
2      @media (max-width: 768px) {
3        .responsive {
4          flex-direction: column;
5        }
6      }

Enhancing Next.js Development with DhiWise

1. Precise Translation of Figma to Next.js

DhiWise provides an exact translation of Figma components into Next.js code, preserving design intentions such as component states, including hover and active styles. This ensures that interactive elements behave as expected in Next.js, without the need for repeated adjustments.

Figma Design

Output of DhiWise generated application in dev environment

1      import React from "react";
2      import { ChakraProps } from "@chakra-ui/react";
3      import { Text, Image, Flex, Heading, Box } from "@chakra-ui/react";
4
5      interface Props extends ChakraProps {
6        className?: string;
7        imgSrc?: string;
8        title?: string;
9        description?: string;
10        avatar?: string;
11        name?: string;
12        date?: string;
13      }
14
15      export default function BlogCard({
16        imgSrc = "images/img_placeholder.png",
17        title = "How to create a UX Writing portfolio as a beginner",
18        description = "The film rolls back the clock through Nike’s past as the company expands sport for a new generation over the next half century.",
19        avatar = "images/img_profileimg_large.png",
20        name = "Jane Phillips",
21        date = "22nd June, 2022",
22        ...props
23      }: Props) {
24        return (
25          <Box {...props}>
26            <Image src={imgSrc} h={{ md: "265px", base: "auto" }} w="100%" borderRadius="12px" />
27            <Flex gap="16px" alignSelf="stretch" flexDirection="column">
28              <Heading size="s" as="h1" lineHeight="29px">
29                {title}
30              </Heading>
31              <Text size="xl" color="gray.900_01" lineHeight="26px">
32                {description}
33              </Text>
34            </Flex>
35            <Flex mb="8px" alignSelf="stretch" justifyContent="space-between" alignItems="center" gap="20px">
36              <Flex gap="8px" w="45%" justifyContent="center" alignItems="center">
37                <Image src={avatar} borderRadius="50%" h="56px" w="56px" />
38                <Text>{name}</Text>
39              </Flex>
40              <Text textAlign="right">{date}</Text>
41            </Flex>
42          </Box>
43        );
44      }

2. Responsive Design and Component Support

Tailoring DhiWise's output for Next.js includes optimizing the auto-responsiveness of components. This feature is essential for maintaining layout integrity and user experience across various devices and screen sizes, specifically using Next.js best practices.

1  /* Example CSS for responsive Next.js components */
2  .responsive-component {
3    display: flex;
4    flex-wrap: wrap;
5    justify-content: space-around;
6  }
7
8  @media (max-width: 768px) {
9    .responsive-component {
10      flex-direction: column;
11    }
12  }

3. Dynamic Data Handling

Integrating dynamic data is crucial for modern web applications. DhiWise simplifies this process by generating Next.js code for server-side rendering and dynamic data fetching.

1          // rest of the code
2          const blogData = [
3            {
4              image: "images/img_placeholder.png",
5              title: "How to create a UX Writing portfolio as a beginner",
6              profileImage: "images/img_profileimg_large.png",
7              profileName: "Jane Phillips",
8            },
9            {
10              image: "images/img_placeholder_265x323.png",
11              title: "How Snapchat and Netflix Break UX Design Principles",
12              profileImage: "images/img_profileimg_large_56x56.png",
13              profileName: "Wade John",
14            },
15            {
16              image: "images/img_placeholder_1.png",
17              title: "How Do You Overcome Imposter Syndrome?",
18              profileImage: "images/img_profileimg_large_1.png",
19              profileName: "Jack Amber",
20            },
21          ];
22
23          // Component declaration code
24          <Flex
25            gap="24px"
26            alignSelf="stretch"
27            flexDirection={{ md: "row", base: "column" }}
28          >
29            {blogData.map((blogRecord, index) => (
30              <Flex
31                key={"responsivecard" + index}
32                gap="16px"
33                borderColor="blue_gray.200"
34                borderWidth="1px"
35                borderStyle="solid"
36                bg="white.A700"
37                w="100%"
38                flexDirection="column"
39                p="10px"
40                borderRadius="23px"
41              >
42                <Image src={blogRecord.image} h="265px" borderRadius="12px" />
43                <Flex gap="16px" flexDirection="column">
44                  <Heading as="h6" lineHeight="33px">
45                    {blogRecord.title}
46                  </Heading>
47                  <Text size="xl" color="gray.900_01" lineHeight="26px">
48                    The film rolls back the clock through Nike’s past as the company
49                    expands sport for a new generation over the next half century.
50                  </Text>
51                </Flex>
52                <Flex justifyContent="space-between" alignItems="center" gap="20px">
53                  <Flex gap="8px" w="45%" justifyContent="center" alignItems="center">
54                    <Image
55                      src={blogRecord.profileImage}
56                      borderRadius="50%"
57                      h="56px"
58                      w="56px"
59                    />
60                    <Text>{blogRecord.profileName}</Text>
61                  </Flex>
62                  <Text textAlign="right">22nd June, 2022</Text>
63                </Flex>
64              </Flex>
65            ))}
66          </Flex>
67          //rest of the code

A Guide to Converting Your Design in Figma to Next.js Code Using DhiWise

Follow these detailed steps to transform your Figma designs into a Next.js application using DhiWise:

Step 1: Set Up Your DhiWise Account

• Navigate to the DhiWise sign-up page or either sign in if you have an existing account or create a new one.

Step 2: Start a New Application

• Navigate to DhiWise dashboard, Click "Web App".

Select Web App

• Click on "Bring your designs to life".

Create new application

• Configure the application setup as follows:

  • Technology: Select Next.js.
  • Language: Choose between JavaScript or TypeScript.
  • Design Framework: Opt for ChakraUI or TailwindCSS.
  • Connect to Figma: Link your Figma account and paste your Figma design URL.

  Figma Design

Step 3: Select Your Screens

• Choose the screens from your Figma design that you want to include in your application.

  Select screens from Figma to create application in DhiWise

Step 4: Configure Application Settings

• Adjust settings according to your preferences while DhiWise fetches your Figma design data.

  Application configuration while fetching screens

Step 5: Review Auto-generated Components

• After successful fetching, DhiWise will display the identified components from your design.

  Identified components

Step 6: Manage Your Screens

• Navigate to the "Screen List" to select and manage specific screens for further configuration.

  Screen List

Step 7: Configure Screen Details

• Configure the CSS unit for your web app (px or rem).

• Create additional components by right-clicking on UI elements within the interface.

  Screen configuration

Step 8: Build Your Application

• Click on the "Build app" button to initiate the code generation process.

  Building App

Step 9: View and Export Your Code

• Once the build process is complete, you can:

  • Download the code as a ZIP file.
  • Sync the code to GitHub or GitLab.
  • View the code directly in the browser.
  • Sync the code to your Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

  View Code

This guide helps you seamlessly create a fully functional Next.js web application from your Figma designs using DhiWise.

Looking Ahead: Future Enhancements in DhiWise for Next.js

As we continue to innovate at DhiWise, our roadmap is guided by the evolving needs of Next.js developers. Our upcoming enhancements are specifically designed to maximize efficiency and performance in Next.js applications:

1. Dynamic Layout Support

We are enhancing our layout management to support dynamic and shared layouts in Next.js, making it easier to maintain consistent layouts across different parts of your application.

1      // app/layout/main.js
2      export default function MainLayout({ children }) {
3        return (
4          <div>
5            <header>Main Header</header>
6            <main>{children}</main>
7            <footer>Main Footer</footer>
8          </div>
9        );
10      }
11
12      // app/layout/special.js
13      export default function SpecialLayout({ children }) {
14        return (
15          <div>
16            <header>Special Header</header>
17            <main>{children}</main>
18            <footer>Special Footer</footer>
19          </div>
20        );
21      }
22
23      // app/page/index.js
24      import MainLayout from '../layout/main';
25
26      export default function HomePage() {
27        return <div>Welcome to the Home Page</div>;
28      }
29
30      HomePage.layout = MainLayout;
31
32      // app/page/special.js
33      import SpecialLayout from '../layout/special';
34
35      export default function SpecialPage() {
36        return <div>Welcome to the Special Page</div>;
37      }
38
39      SpecialPage.layout = SpecialLayout;
40
41      // app/layout/dynamic.js
42      import MainLayout from './main';
43      import SpecialLayout from './special';
44
45      export default function DynamicLayout({ children, type }) {
46        const LayoutComponent = type === 'special' ? SpecialLayout : MainLayout;
47        return <LayoutComponent>{children}</LayoutComponent>;
48      }
49
50      // app/page/example.js
51      import DynamicLayout from '../layout/dynamic';
52
53      export default function ExamplePage() {
54        return (
55          <div>
56            Content of the Example Page
57          </div>
58        );
59      }
60
61      ExamplePage.getLayout = page => <DynamicLayout type="special">{page}</DynamicLayout>;

This is still a prototype. Release version is subject to change.

2. Auto Classification of Server & Client Components

Recognizing the need for optimized component rendering, we will automatically classify components as server-side or client-side, organizing them to leverage Next.js's hybrid rendering capabilities for better performance.

Client component in Next.js

Server component in Next.js

3. UI Streaming Components & Route Groups

To further leverage the latest features of Next.js, we are working on UI streaming components and route groups for advanced performance optimizations and streamlined routing mechanisms.

1    import { Suspense } from 'react'
2    import { PostFeed, Weather } from './Components'
3
4    export default function Posts() {
5      return (
6        <section>
7          <Suspense fallback={<p>Loading feed...</p>}>
8            <PostFeed />
9          </Suspense>
10          <Suspense fallback={<p>Loading weather...</p>}>
11            <Weather />
12          </Suspense>
13        </section>
14      )
15    }

Before implementing streaming, data fetching is completed on server before showing the page

After implementing streaming, entire page is broken down into smaller chunks

Route Groups

Next.js allows to create groups of routes to make them easily manageble. It is denoted as (category). You will see such in upcoming updates.

4. Improved Component Identification and Reusability

We're refining our algorithms to better identify and categorize reusable components, enhancing modularity and reducing redundancy across your Next.js projects. We have more than 2000+ algoritms and we are adding support for more components.

5. Advanced Conditional Elements

Our development plans include support for advanced conditional elements, allowing for more dynamic and responsive UIs that adapt to user interactions and data states seamlessly.

1      "use client";
2      import React, { useState } from "react";
3
4      function ProductCard({ product, onAddToCart, onToggleWishlist }) {
5        const [isInWishlist, setIsInWishlist] = useState(product.isInWishlist);
6
7        const handleAddToCart = () => {
8          onAddToCart(product);
9        };
10
11        const handleToggleWishlist = () => {
12          setIsInWishlist(!isInWishlist);
13          onToggleWishlist(product);
14        };
15
16        return (
17          <div className="product-card">
18            <img
19              src={product.imageUrl}
20              alt={product.name}
21              className="product-image"
22            />
23            <h3>{product.name}</h3>
24            <p>{product.description}</p>
25            <div className="product-price">${product.price.toFixed(2)}</div>
26            <button onClick={handleAddToCart} className="btn btn-primary">
27              Add to Cart
28            </button>
29            <button
30              onClick={handleToggleWishlist}
31              className={isInWishlist ? "btn btn-danger" : "btn btn-secondary"}
32            >
33              {isInWishlist ? "Remove from Wishlist" : "Add to Wishlist"}
34            </button>
35          </div>
36        );
37      }
38
39      export default ProductCard;

These enhancements are designed to ensure that DhiWise not only keeps pace with the latest Next.js developments but also anticipates future trends to provide a cutting-edge tool for developers.

Closing Thoughts: Elevate Your Next.js Projects with DhiWise

As we wrap up our exploration of DhiWise's capabilities and future direction, it's clear that DhiWise is more than just a tool—it's a strategic ally in the complex world of Next.js development. Designed to empower developers, DhiWise transforms Figma designs into performant, SEO-friendly Next.js applications with precision and ease.

Join the Community of Innovators

We invite you to experience firsthand how DhiWise can elevate your Next.js projects. Sign up, start your first project, and join our community of developers who are pushing the boundaries of web development. Whether you're looking to streamline your workflow, enhance application performance, or ensure your projects are future-proof, DhiWise offers the resources and support to achieve your goals.

Share Your Journey

How do you currently navigate the design-to-code process? What challenges do you face in Next.js development? Share your experiences by reaching out directly. Your insights have always helped us continuously refine DhiWise to better meet your needs and the demands of the evolving web landscape.

Stay Informed and Inspired

For more insights into making the most of DhiWise for your Next.js projects, explore our curated resources:

• DhiWise Tutorial Series
• Usecases of Speedy Development with DhiWise

Thank you for joining us on this exploration of DhiWise. We can’t wait to see what you build "next"!